Internet sinks Tampa Pitcher Show, beloved by independent film fans

The Tampa Pitcher Show survived competition from cable television, VCRs, video stores and DVD players. But the independent north Tampa movie theater that slung pitchers of beer alongside buckets of popcorn could not overcome the Internet, said Wayne Valenti, who ran the business with his wife Cindy.The Tampa Pitcher Show faded to black for good on Sept. 30."We had a loyal audience all the way to the end," Valenti, 64, said. "The problem was that audience was not large enough anymore."While the theater at 14416 N Dale Mabry Highway has always screened Hollywood blockbusters, its niche for the past two decades has been hard-to-find independent, cult and underground cinema.The World Wide Web now brings such fare to the masses."People can stream stuff on their phones," Valenti said. "They don't have to go to a theater anymore."Valenti holds no regrets. His theater had a good run, he said, and he's happy that the independent filmmakers he has long supported can now reach a global audience through the Internet."This change in the marketplace has helped the indie artists," Valenti said. "It may be bad for me but that is good for them."Still, the Tampa Pitcher Show will be missed.Among its most ardent supporters was Rick Danford, who had his annual Halloween Horror Picture Show film festival there since 2013. He still believes independent filmmakers need that authentic theater experience."We get to sign autographs and connect with the public in a way only a live screening can provide," said Danford, whose festival movies were the final ones shown at the Tampa Pitcher Show."One of the longest standing, indie filmmaker-friendly bridges for getting out work to our public has gone dark."At the Tampa Pitcher Show, audiences could see mainstream cinema, classic camp-style flicks such as Toxic Avenger , the latest Sundance Film Festival winner and a low budget local production that may never show anywhere else. It also provided the full Rocky Horror Picture Show experience"I am shocked. I am saddened. I am sickened by it," said Andy Lalino, who over the years has hosted film festivals and had his independent productions screened there."Pitcher Show was the Tampa Bay area's grind house theater. It was a haven for independent filmmakers to have a forum to shown off their work. We have one less resource now."With the theater's closing, the Tampa Bay area also loses a venue willing to host to all independent local arts. The Tampa Pitcher Show provided a stage for open mic comedy, burlesque, jazz and small theatrical productions.The theater evolved as needed over the years. As Hollywood films became more accessible at home, and as the viewing experience improved with high-definition flat screens and theater-quality surround sound, Valenti leaned more on independent cinema.To continue showing first-run Hollywood blockbusters, he switched from 35mm film to digital despite the high cost. At the same time, major cineplexes adapted to the changing marketplace by offering more IMAX, 3-D and even 4-D screens."I can't keep up with that," he said. "And as the Internet and cellphones become a more popular way of watching the indie movies, I ran out of options."The Tampa Pitcher Show has always been part movie theater, part bar and restaurant. Rather than theater seating, it used restaurant-style table and chairs.The theater sold beer and liquor and had a menu that included burgers, hot dogs, wings and pizza. That once was unique. Now, many movie theaters offer restaurant options."And you can eat and drink at home, too, and see the same films," Valenti said.In recent years as the theater struggled, loyal customers went out of their way to support the theater by hosting events there to expand the audience. But ultimately, Valenti said, it became clear he was fighting a losing battle."It's just a change in society. I can fight one battle at a time, but I can't find them all at one time." Contact Paul Guzzo at pguzzo@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3394. Follow @PGuzzoTimes.

Internet sinks Tampa Pitcher Show, beloved by independent film fans

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